From the cravable tang of tom yum to the comforting depths of a slow-cooked duck curry, the Thai dining scene of Malaysia’s capital has blossomed into a rich tapestry of fiery street-style kitchens, understated neighbourhood favourites, and refined restaurants helmed by celebrated chefs.
This list captures 7 destinations that represent the range and soul of Thai food in the city, whether you’re craving authenticity, elegance, or sheer spice-driven indulgence.
On this list:
- Kompassion, Damansara Kim
- Chim by Chef Noom, KL
- Gai by Darren Chin, TTDI
- M Dining, Damansara Uptown
- Yan Wo Thai, Aman Suria
- Thai Tae, Kuchai Lama
- Jatujak Bangkok Street Food, Ara Damansara
1. Kompassion
One of the city’s most prolific Thai restaurants, Chef Nikom Uatthong’s Kompassion is a modern Thai institution built on bold flavours and generous portions. The Northern Thai (Isaan) influence is strong here, from the signature duck curry to the grilled pork neck with jaew dipping sauce.
Kompassion’s menu is extremely expansive and unafraid to explore contemporary interpretations of Thai staples, served in an urban-chic setting with exposed brick and communal tables. Choose your own adventure down the different paths to flavourtown.
Order the: Smoked Duck Pomelo Salad, Muek Tom Nam Dam (Black Tom Yum), Green Curry Pork Belly, Thai Milk Tea.
Best for: Flavour-packed communal Thai dining with a modern twist, energetic group dining
Address: 5 Jalan SS 20/11, Damansara Kim, 47400 Petaling Jaya (Maps)
Operation Hours: Wed–Sun: 11AM–3PM, 5PM–10PM; Mon & Tue: Closed
Menu | Reserve here
2. Chim by Chef Noom
Awarded one Michelin star in 2025, Chim by Chef Noom in TSLAW Tower is an intimate fine dining destination helmed by the award-winning, Chiang Mai-born Chef Noom and Head Chef Willy. The experience is centered around a quarterly-evolving tasting menu, crafted to reflect seasonal ingredients and elevate the storytelling of Thai cuisine.
There’s no à la carte—only a carefully choreographed progression of courses designed to engage all the senses—layered, expressive, and rooted in Thai tradition, reimagined through a contemporary, high-touch lens.
Order the: Seasonal tasting menu
Best for: Immersive Thai fine dining where flavour, form, and feeling come together
Address: L2-03, TSLAW Tower, 39 Jalan Kamuning, Imbi, 51100 Kuala Lumpur (Maps)
Operation Hours: Tue–Sun: 5.30PM–11PM; Mon: Closed
Website | Menu | Reserve here
3. Gai by Darren Chin
Gai is Michelin-awarded Chef Darren Chin’s personal expression of contemporary Thai cuisine—rooted in memory, layered with precision—and a love letter to his Thai extended family. Gai has been a Michelin Selected restaurant for 3 consecutive years (2023–2025) and is also a recipient of the Thai SELECT Signature Award.
Signatures at Gai include the signature seafood tomyum, elevated takes on the classic Goon Ob Woonsen, and Jumbo Crab Omelette. For Thai food connoisseurs with voracious appetites, look no further than Gai’s AYCE A La Carte Buffet that includes all the essential dishes. The space is intimate and design-forward, perfectly suited to the quiet focus of the food itself.
Order the: Lady Boss Nana Signature Tom Yum Seafood, Gai’s Signature Crab Omelette, Thai Green Curry With Chicken, Pha Naeng Red Curry With Wagyu Beef
Best for: Expressive Thai Lanna-style cuisin and seafood, special occasion dinners
Address: 26A Lorong Datuk Sulaiman 1, TTDI, 60000 Kuala Lumpur (Maps)
Operation Hours: 12PM–10PM daily
Website | Menu | Reserve here
4. M Dining
A recent addition to the PJ dining scene, M Dining is helmed by Chef Wilson Teh, whose culinary journey includes a tenure at Melbourne’s acclaimed Longrain. M Dining offers a contemporary interpretation of Thai cuisine. and proudly carries the Thai SELECT Signature Award by the Thai Ministry of Commerce.
The restaurant leans modern, with clean interiors and inventive presentations that stay true to Thai fundamentals but with modern-fusion twists. Standouts at M Dining are the rich Panang Lamb Curry, ultra-savoury Double Delight Poultry that is first sous-vide then chargilled, and the intriguing Basil Chicken Bibimbap. Bonus points for the refreshing Lemongrass Margarita.
Order the: Panang Lamb Shank Curry, Golden Catch, or let the experts decide for you with prix-fixe set meals
Best for: Affordable business lunches, modern Thai fusion, family gatherings
Address: 105M, Jalan SS 21/37, Damansara Utama, 47400 Petaling Jaya (Maps)
Operation Hours:
Instagram | Reserve here
5. Yan Wo Thai
A sister establishment to the popular Yan Wo Seafood just down the street, Yan Wo Thai offers a focused Thai menu with no corners cut when it comes to flavour and quality. You absolutely have to order the soft shell crab with scrambled egg yellow curry, it is to die for!
Those of lower spice tolerance may want to say the magic words “less spicy” when ordering timeless classics such as the Tom Sap fish soup, and Tomyum Goong. The restaurant space is relatively tight, but offers an intimate home-style dining experience. Reservations are highly encouraged.
Order the: Pu Nim Phad Phong Karree (soft shell crab yellow curry), Tod Pla Kraphung (fried fish with Thai aromatics), stir-fried kangkung, red ruby and steamed tapioca desserts
Best for: Casual dinners, spice-hunters, weekends out with the family
Address: A-G, 42 Jalan PJU 1/43, Aman Suria, 47301 Petaling Jaya (Maps)
Operation Hours: 11AM–3PM, 5PM–10PM daily
Facebook | Reserve by Phone (+6012 897 8687)
6. Thai Tae
An underrated gem, Thai Tae was recommended by a Thai expat and there is no sliver of a doubt why—authentic flavours, no-frills-just-good presentation, all at an unbeatable price point.
Casual and lively, it’s the kind of spot that fills quickly with regulars who know what to order. The lady of the kitchen cooks everything by herself, not sharing the secrets of any of her creations. Fair warning: service can be extremely slow with long wait times during peak meal hours, but the fantastic fare more than rewards your patience.
Order the: Red Tom Yum Soup with Seafood, Fried Tilapia with Thai Herbs, Somtam with Salted Egg, Stir fried Shrimp with Petai (very spicy!)
Best for: Casual group dinners, patient but passionate diners.
Address: 23 Jalan 2/115a, off Jalan Kuchai Lama, Taman Pagar Ruyong, 58200 Kuala Lumpur (Maps)
Operation Hours: 11.30AM-3.30PM, 5PM-10.30PM, daily
Menu | Reserve by Phone (+6010-255 9631)
7. Jatujak Bangkok Street Food
Named after Bangkok’s famous weekend market, Jatujak Bangkok Street Food is warm, inviting, and generous. Simple decor allows for the food to shine—Their tom yum seafood is rich and fragrant, and their Thai basil beef rice has earned a loyal following. The space is family-friendly, the service is swift, and the flavours stay close to home.
Order the: Red Tomyam seafood, Leng Saab (Volcano pork rib soup), Somtum with roast pork and salted egg, excellent value-for-money set lunches
Best for: Dinner gatherings, quick weekday lunches, no-frills Thai street cuisine
Address: B-G, 31 Jalan PJU 1a/3j, Ara Damansara, 47301 Petaling Jaya (Maps)
Operation Hours: 12PM–3PM, 5PM-10.15PM daily
Menu | Reserve here
With everything from laid-back neighbourhood joints to polished dining rooms worthy of special occasions, KL and PJ’s Thai food scene offers depth, diversity, and unforgettable flavour. Whether you’re in the mood for fiery street-style dishes or refined takes on tradition, there’s a Thai restaurant on this list waiting to impress.
Nacre. 
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